Balearic Islands to ban plastic from 2020, starting with coffee capsules

Spain is one of these 193 countries which has pledged to abolish non-recyclable plastic to cut pollution in the world's oceans in light of evidence which shows that from the year 2050, this substance could start to outnumber fish and other fauna in the seas.

But the Balearic Islands have gone a step further and announced a deadline for banning plastic.

Everyday objects that may have to be remade with other substances include dishwasher and washing machine capsules, drinking straws, cotton buds, bottles, carrier bags, cling film, cigarette lighters, disposable plates and cutlery, and wet-wipes, since the latter are not biodegradable and have led to massive fatbergs forming in pipes affecting entire cities.

As yet, the region has not confirmed how it will go about replacing these disposable goods, although it is likely that a fresh market for biodegradable household items could arise in the next few years with more and more manufacturers seeking different materials for their products.

Given that the seas of the world are responsible for producing as much oxygen as the Amazon rainforest – between them, nearly all the air we breathe – it is imperative to keep plastic out of the oceans.

Protecting wildlife, since many species such as whales, dolphins, aquatic birds and turtles die in agony after accidentally eating plastic or becoming tangled in it, is another crucial issue.

Not all plastic in the sea has been dumped there or on the shores – much of it blows from waste bins and streets inland, often several kilometres away.